Island



(No Model.)

0. J. BROSNAN.

HEEL 0R SOLE PLATE.

Patented Nov.

FIE!

INVENTDH W ITNESSEE N. PLHLRS, Plwtwhlhogmphar. Wnlhinghm. D. a

UNITED STATES PATENT Crricrzo CORNELIUS J. BROSNAN, OF SPRINGFIELD, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNCR OF ONE-HALF TO FRANKLIN A. SMITH, JR, OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE ISLAND.

HEEL OR SOLE PLATE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 372,451, dated November 1, 1887.

(No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that LCon'n nLiUs J. BROSNAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Hampden and State of Massachusetts, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Heel or Sole Protectors; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to a new and useful improvement in metallic protectors designed for use on the heels or soles of boots, shoes, rubbers, or other foot-wear, for the purpose of preventing the same from wearing unevenly; and it consists, essentially, of a body portion provided on one side with penetrating prongs or spurs, by means of which the protector is secured to the boot, shoe, or other foot-wear, one of said prongs or spurs being made longer than the remainder, serving as a pivot whereby the body portion is adjusted in proper position relative to the edge of the heel or sole to which it is secured, the opposite side of said body portion being suitably surfaced or embossed, all as will be hereinafter more fully described, and pointed out in the claim.

Figure 1 represents a perspective view of my improved device complete and ready for use; Fig. 2, a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3is a top plan view showing the device as secured to the heel of a boot.

In the drawings, A represents my improved protector, and B the heel of aboot.

In carrying out my invention the protector A is made from metal,either by castingstamping, or cutting, or other suitable method of making, and consists of a body portion, a, formed, preferably, semicircular or crescent shape, and of substantially a uniform width and thickness throughout. The lower surface ofthe body portion 0. is provided with a nunr ber of penetrating prongs or spurs projecting therefrom at right angles to said lower surface.

In the present instance there are three prongs or spurs, I) and c c. The central prong, I), is made considerably longer than the prongs cc,

as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 ofthe drawings,and serves.as a pivot, whereby the body portion may be adjusted even with the edge of thehcel or sole to which the protector is secured. The opposite or face side of the body portion a in the present instance is provided with aseries of projections, (1, formed in imitation of the head ofa hobnail or steelpoint, so called, thereby imitating a row of said nails when secured to a boothcel, as illustrated in Fi 3.

In securing the protectorthe long prong b' is forced into the heel or sole until the short prongs 0 care on a level with the outer surface. The body portion a is then adjusted 6 laterally to bring its outer edge the desired distance from the edge of the heel or sole. The prongs are then all driven in their entire length and the body portion a is sunk below the outer surface, leaving the projections d exposed near the outer edge of the heel or sole. The projections will thereby receive the wear incident to use and serve the same purpose as a row of nails orsteel points, and after the pro jections are worn off the body portion still remains to receive the wear and abrasure.

Any number of prongs or spurs may be made on a protector, according to the size of the body portion, one of the prongs always being formed longer than the remaining prongs to allow a lateral pivotal adjustment of the body portion, as described.

The form or configuration of the body portion may be varied to suit the requirements of thetrade. 8 5

My improved protector is easily and cheaply made and applied, is durable in its wearing qualities, neat in appearance, and is admirably adapted for the purpose contemplated.

I am aware that it is not new to provide a heel or sole protector with roughened surfaces and attachingprongs. I do not claim the same, broadly.

Having described my invention, I claim- As an improved article of manufacture, a

heel or sole protector of the form corresponding to the outline of a heel or sole, having an In testimony whereofI affix my signature in external corrugated or roughened surface, and the presence of two Witnesses. on its opposite or inner surface a series of attaching points or spurs of uniform length and CORNELIUS J. BROSNAN. 5 one additional spur of considerably greater length,by means of which the plate is centered \Vitnesses: and located in attaching it to the heel or sole, I F. A. SMITH, Jr., substantially as herein set forth. l OHARLEs GREENE. 

